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Quotes after the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in St. Gallen

Friday, 31 May 2013

John Roche at the press conference in St. Gallen. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Most of the press conference after today's Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in St. Gallen was about the German team, and what happens to them now. But first the press got to hear about the rounds and the class.

Laura Renwick, who secured the win for the British team said this about her ride and tactic in the jump-off; "My horse jumped very well. I was lucky and was the first to go for our team. I didn't see Steve in the jump-off, but I knew that he wanted to win and would be fast so I had to be quick - but also jump the jumps. I had a moment in the double where I thought I made a mistake, but actually he just lost a shoe and the shoe hit the fence and the pole fell. So I thought we had a mistake there, but I kept going and as it turned out it was good enough."

The Swiss Chef d'Equipe Urs Fäh on his second placed team; "It wasn't a choice to withdraw from the class as it was on home soil. They Swiss team has been second three times in St. Gallen, and of course we would have wanted to win - but we are really happy under the circumstances."

Course builder Gérard Lachat; "It was quite difficult to build today because of the weather and footing. Some fences were also taken out of the course to make it safer."

FEI's Director of Jumping John Roche; "The decision of not having a second round was made due to the welfare and safety of the horses. The decision was made together with the seven teams that took part in the first round."

It took some time, but after several questions John Roche said that Germany will not be able to earn any points in the first division, and move on to the final as FEI was of the opinion that there was no Force Majeure present - which would have allowed the team to withdraw from today's class; "Force Majeure would be something that would prevent them from participating, but the team is here and they have decided not to participate." But Roche would not answer on whether or not this means that Germany has to step down to the second division next year; "Next year it is foreseen in the rules that there will be ten teams participating in division one. So there is a chance that Germany will remain in division one next year."